MALAYSIA is developing a National Food Security Indicator and Index to provide a comprehensive, locally relevant assessment of the country’s food security, signalling a move away from reliance on global benchmarks that no longer capture Malaysia-specific conditions.
The initiative, led by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in collaboration with the Economy Ministry and the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), aims to replace the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which ceased publication in 2022.
“The indicator is being designed to evaluate food security more holistically and contextually, taking into account Malaysia’s own environment and challenges,” News Straits Times cited Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu saying in a written parliamentary reply.
He added that the new framework would measure four key dimensions of food security — availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability — providing authorities with a more precise understanding of the nation’s capacity to sustain essential food supplies.
The development comes in response to parliamentary questions by Wee Jeck Seng (BN–Tanjung Piai), who sought details on national strategies to increase domestic food production, reduce reliance on imports of critical raw commodities, and maintain strategic reserves to ensure uninterrupted access in times of crisis.
Mohamad said that supplies of staples such as rice, fish, chicken, eggs and vegetables are currently stable and well managed.
He credited agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) for coordinating logistics, collection centres, marketing channels, and resilient distribution systems that ensure continuity of supply.
“The capabilities of Fama and LKIM support this stability in ensuring sufficient stock access and coordinating effective distribution systems through strong logistics networks, collection centres and marketing channels,” he said.
The minister emphasised that the indicator would enable rapid and orderly distribution in the event of supply chain disruptions, while promoting inter-ministerial and state-level cooperation for national agri-food planning.
“Integrated strategies, backed by cooperation among ministries, departments, agencies and state governments, will strengthen coordination and effectiveness in national food planning. This will support increased domestic food production and reduce import dependency, ensuring sustainable national food security,” he said.
In the final GFSI assessment before its discontinuation, Malaysia ranked second in Southeast Asia and 41st globally, scoring 69.9 per cent, highlighting the need for a homegrown system that more accurately reflects local conditions and challenges. - February 26, 2026
